LLST #11 ~ Novelties
#11 of Lost Legends Side Tales
[ Summary: ]
Mela's out shopping again
[ ~500 words ]
This was originally part of a previous story, but got cut. The idea was worth keeping though, so I tweaked it into its own thing. I also wanted to convey how significant gold coins are in this setting, but I ran out of fucks and changed it. Suffice to say, if you're just a regular person, there's a good chance you've never even seen one up close, if at all. It's like a $1000 bill or some shit. Silver is still a big deal for regular folks, especially so far from the capital city, but not to such a ridiculous degree. 90% of the time, you'll see bronze changing hands. I also hope I did a decent job presenting the accent. Didn't want to overdo it, since many seem critical of the phonetic approach, but I still wanted it to come through clearly.
Anyway, this thing's a quick and sloppy mess and I don't wanna think about it anymore. Maybe I'll come back and polish it later.
Fioans, Loreans & the setting of Azra (C) Elray
(C)~Nivulus 2022
It was another bright, sunny day in Val'En as Mela approached one of her favorite stops on the market street. Wedged into an alcove was a little stall run by a lovely old Lorean woman; mostly small trinkets and fun gadgets. The real draw, however, was the special things Bruenna would hold back for the curious tiger.
"Ah, the young miss!" The rabbit exclaimed in her thick accent as the Fioan neared, climbing to the platform behind the stall. The counter itself was well above her head for the convenience of the natives, but some ingenuity in its design let her deal face to face with them easily.
"Afternoon, Bru." Mela greeted her with a pleasant tone and a smile. "Can't stay long, but how's little Senne?"
"Gettin' mighty curious, that one." She said with a fondness. "As yourself, even. May not leave ye much, soon enough."
"I dread the day." Mela replied, both women sharing a quiet laugh. The tiger's smile turned sly as she leaned in. "Got anything special for me in the meantime? I've been a good girl, I promise."
"Aye, a real doozy! And right up your alley, no less." The old woman looked around before sneaking a small book onto the counter. It looked like a very old personal note book, bound in leather and wrapped with twine.
"What is this?" Mela asked, her ears perking forward as she carefully scooped up the item.
"Well, as Mary tells it, this here," the rabbit spoke in a hushed, conspiratorial manner as she tapped the cover, "is the journal of the Augustus, last Alzani king before the Union formed."
"No..." Mela straightened herself, eyes wide. "How did she get this? It should be in a museum." Her ears folded flat as she frowned.
"Nah, don't ye worry, tis." She waved away the Fioan's concern. "This here's a copy. Seems some new laws passed about historical texts and the like. Museums have been making a venture of it, getting all fancy." She said, suggesting the aging and wear to be artificial. "Nothing of the dangerous sort, mind, but still hard to get at the moment. Even in the city."
"Oh wow, that's fantastic!" The tiger's face lit up with wonder as she looked over the little book. She leaned in again, and in a hushed voice that only partly hid her excitement, asked, "How much?"
"Ah, go on, love. Times are kind, and there's plenty more coming by the looks of it." The old woman gave her a wink and a smile. "I'll catch ye on the next."
"If you spoil Senne like this, it's no wonder they're catching up." Mela grinned, tucking the journal in with her other finds. As the book went in, a few silver coins came out. Gently taking the Lorean's hand, she placed the coins in the rabbit's palm and wrapped her fingers around it. "For kinder times. I'll see you soon, Bru." Mela didn't wait for her reaction. She just gave the woman a warm smile and wave as she disappeared into the crowded street.